The Central Ohio Radio Club, Inc.

Transcription

1 The Central Ohio Radio Club, Inc. The Central Ohio Radio Club Newsletter is the Official Journal of The Central Ohio Radio Club, Inc. and is published three (3) times a year. It is mailed or ed to all Full Members. All copy or advertising must be received at least four weeks prior to publication. Articles may be reproduced for other publications as long as prior permission is obtained and source acknowledged. While the Editor makes all reasonable effort to assure the information within is correct, we do not guarantee its contents and disclaim all liability. We reserve the right to edit or reject submitted items for publication. Mail all copy to: Joe Hahn ( W8NBA), P.O. Box 398, Pataskala, Ohio Items can also be ed to newsletter@corc.us. Editor, CORC Repeater Newsletter Joe Hahn (W8NBA) P.O. Box 166 Sunbury, Ohio The Central Ohio Radio Club May 2014 Newsletter Web Page at: ARRL Affiliated Club Place Label Here

2 Universal Radio - Quality equipment since FREE Radio Go-Bag FREE Radio Go-Bag Radio Go-Bag 270 JC Penney Brice Rd. EXIT 110A Showroom Hours Mon.-Fri. 10:00-5:30 Saturday 10:00-3:00 To Columbus Americana 6830 Tussing Road ID-31A D-STAR built-in GPS built-in 1252 Memories External DC Jack MHz 5/2.5/0.5/0.1 Watts Micro SD Slot Encode/Decode IPX7 Standard The Icom ID-31A lets you operate in the D-STAR mode from a very compact handheld! This 440 MHz HT also supports conventional FM comms. The transmit range is 420 to 450 MHz and the receive range is 400 to 479 MHz in FM, FM-N and DV modes. It is IPX7 waterproof and features a built-in GPS! The alphanumeric memory system has 500 regular, 700 D-STAR repeater memories, 50 scan edges and 2 call channels. There is a Micro SD card slot for an optional memory card. This can be used to store DVR Incoming/Outgoing Messages, GPS Log and Memory Backup. There is built-in CTCSS/DTCS encode/decode for analog FM. Four RF levels: 5, 2.5, 0.5, 0.1 watts. With the BP-271 battery, SMA flexible antenna, belt clip, BC-167 wall charger and CS-31 cloning software (requires OPC-2218LU cable). List $ Order #2031 $ Get a great price and this FREE emergency go-bag when you buy your Yaesu HT from Universal Radio. This insulated bag protects your radio on-the-go and there is plenty of extra room for spare batteries, accessories, Repeater Directory (not included) and more. Pkwy. 70 Route 256 ID-51A GPS Receiver 1304 Memories Auto Position Reply Voice Memory DTMF Keypad Micro SD Card Slot IPX7 Construction AM & FM Broadcast D-STAR DV The Icom ID-51A may be the most hi-tech dual band HT in the world. It covers 2 meters and 440 MHz and receives two bands simultaneously (V/ V, U/U & V/U). It is IPX7 waterproof and features a built-in GPS! The 128x104 dot-matrix display is impressive. This radio has an astounding 1304 alphanumeric memories. There is a Micro SD card slot for an optional memory card. This can be used to store DVR Incoming/Outgoing Messages, GPS Log and Memory Backup. There is built-in CTCSS/DTCS encode/decode for analog FM. It even features an independent AM and FM broadcast receiver. A Voice Memory feature records incoming and outgoing calls and can be used as a voice recorder. With BP-271 battery, SMA antenna, belt clip, strap and BC-167SA wall charger. 2.3 x 4.2 x 1.1" 9 oz. Price shown after coupon. List $ Order #0051 $ CommRadio CR-1a The CommRadio CR-1a is a true SDR receiver, but does not require a computer. Enjoy the benefits and performance of state-of-the-art SDR, but in a conventional radio package. The CR-1a SDR is independent of a host PC, using embedded digital signal processing technology that provides a degree of portability and performance previously unavailable to the radio enthusiast. Covers: 500 khz-30 MHz, MHz and MHz in AM, SSB, CW, WBFM, NBFM modes. I&Q output to PC s and Android platforms. PC app 200 khz spectrum scope. The incredible performance is combined with exceptional portability. Powered via USB or 6-18 VDC. Enjoy top-shelf American technology in a compact, metal case only 5.64 x 2.43 x lbs. With FREE radio go-bag. Order #2002 $ Universal Radio, Inc Americana Pkwy. Reynoldsburg, OH Orders-Prices Information FAX Line dx@universal-radio.com This insulated bag is great for creating an Emergency Go Bag for your radio. It is the perfect size for HTs, scanners and small shortwave portables. There is plenty of room for your radio, batteries, accessories, directories and more. Zippered top and front pocket with strap. 8 x 6 x 5 inches. Not made by Icom. This Go-Bag will be included FREE with your Icom IC-R6, IC-R20 Sport, ID- 31A or ID-51A purchase through 06/30/14. TD-Q8A 4W VHF/4W UHF Li-ion Battery Wide/Narrow BW DTMF Keypad Dual Display 128 Memories Voice Guide Encode/Decode The TDXONE TD-Q8A HT is a compact hand held transceiver providing 4 watts in the frequency range of and MHz transmit ( MHz and MHz receive). It features 128 memories, simple controls, High/Low power, time-out timer, lock, English/Chinese voice prompt, VOX, CTCSS encode, 1750 Hz burst, dual band display, battery saver, LED flashlight, low battery alert and FM broadcast band reception. It will fit in your shirt pocket with room to spare at only 2.25 x 4.35 x 1.3" 7 ounces. The TD-Q8A comes with Li-ion battery, charge tray, AC charger, standard SMA antenna, manual and belt clip. Free programming download on the Universal Radio website. This special bundle offer is available in our showroom only... TD-Q8A HT #6008 $ USB Cable # ARRL Repeat Dir # Regular Price $ Showroom Price $ Guaranteed lowest prices on the web? Not always. But we do guarantee that you will find our website the most informative. Free 2014 huge 132 page print catalog Prices & specs. subject to change. Prices shown are after mfg's coupons. Returns subject to a 15% restock fee. Prices and promos valid to 06/30/14 ADha1405.p65

3 The Central Ohio Radio Club Newsletter President Laura Perone KA8IWB Vice-Pres. Phil Carter WD8QWR Secretary Tony Fabro N8RRB Treasurer Steve Robeano WD8JKX Newsletter Editor Joe Hahn W8NBA Membership Chairman John Perone W8RXX FM Repeaters 52.94/51.70 / W8RRJ /.76 W8AIC /.97 W8RRJ /.33 W8NBA IRLP Node / W8AIC / K8NIO D-Star Repeaters / / W8CMH May 2014 CORC President Announces Summer Meeting! The next CORC potluck is Sunday, June 8, 2014 at Genoa Township Hall. It will start at 6 PM. Please bring a covered dish to share with a serving utensil. CORC will provide the drinks, plastic ware, cups, plates and many other surprises. The club will be giving away 2 Midland weather radios and other door prizes to lucky attendees as well as a 50/50 drawing. We are hoping to have a special speaker for this event but haven t firmed up the details. The latest info on this meeting and other important news will be on the CORC website at: on the top of the front page. Invite a non-club member to attend as they are always welcomed. It is always fun to have an eyeball with a contact you have made. Some of this year s scheduled repeater improvements include installing a new controller on and replacement of link feed lines, antennas, UHF link receivers and transmitter at W8NBA s control QTH. The tower has been up for over 30 years and is in need of some long overdue maintenance. When finished the audio on this repeater should sound similar to the other CORC repeaters. IRLP audio quality will also be improved. I will be attending the Hamvention in Dayton, May If you have never been to Dayton you cannot believe all the new and used equipment that is there plus many educational seminars. Another June activity for you is Field Day. It is the 28th & 29th June. I hope you are fortunate enough to find a location near you and participate. To locate a site near you, go to It is also a good way to introduce non-hams to the hobby. 73, Laura, KA8IWB CORC President

4 The Central Ohio Radio Club Newsletter Membership Update By John Perone, W8RXX Many thanks to the following who have donated time, talent, extra money or equipment to the club. This is in addition to their dues since the last newsletter printing. This little extra helps keep CORC financially sound. KC8ASF W8RRJ W8NBA WD8QWR N8RRB WA8KKN KB8CIQ WD8JKX W8RXX WA3UOO KD8OZF K8PFD KA8IWB N8ISI WB8RUW KD8KBX KB8EUX N8ESP KC8EVR KC8OKB N8PAT KA8RTI W8JNE WD8CZG N8LPX W8JPF KD8EEK AK4FL W8XU N8VWY Please welcome the following who have joined CORC since the last newsletter was printed. Thank them for joining when you hear them on the air. KD8VCS Tom W3CRZ Bob N4DLR George N4OTR Lois KD8VOK Scott W8JNE Charles KD8OQA Martin W3RAZ Joel W8JPF Joe KD8UNQ Grant KD8YEJ Daniel KD8TXL - Michael K6HRU Bruce N8VWY - Mike KC8DAG Armand Congratulations to the following winners at the February 23rd Annual Meeting! Rock Bound Rig Joe, W8JPF 50/50 David, KD8ODY CORC Repeaterisms CD Trigg, K8NIO Gift Cards: Mc Donald s Linda, N8FES Steak & Shake Roy, W8REH Subway Tom, N4HAI Grand Prize: Kenwood 2 meter mobile radio Steve, KC8YED Interested in writing a letter for the CORC newsletter? Joe, W8NBA is our newsletter editor. He is always looking for contributors of an article or even writing a series of articles. We know there is writing talent in our club, please give him a hand. You can contact him by at newsletter@corc.us. Printed material can be mailed to: Joe Hahn W8NBA, PO Box 398, Pataskala, Ohio From Corky s Jokebook: What happened when the two antennas got married? The ceremony wasn t much but the reception was great. Page 2

5 The Central Ohio Radio Club Newsletter Amateur ARRL VE Testing at Universal Radio: Saturdays: June 28 (Field Day), July 26, October 25 The ARRL testing fee is $15.00 Here s what you need to bring in addition to the ARRL fee: Taking your first exam: A photo ID like a driver s license or school ID. Pen & Pencil for filling out paperwork & answer sheet. If you plan to bring a calculator make sure it's not programmable. Also you cannot use a calculator that is built-in to a cell, smart phone, or tablet. You may want to register for a FRN (FCC Registration Number) at the FCC ULS website a couple of weeks before taking your exam. Upgrading an existing license: A photo ID. Pen & Pencil for filling out paperwork & answer sheet. The original and a photocopy of your current license. The original and a photocopy of any CSCE s showing credit for elements earned but not reflected on your current license. Modifying or renewing an existing license: A photo ID. Pen & Pencil for filling out paperwork. Kroger Time to Re-enroll PLEASE???? Members need to re-enroll in the program NOW. Even if you signed up for Kroger Community Rewards in February or March of this year, you MUST re-enroll after April 1st for CORC to continue earning rewards during the coming year. In case you are unaware of the program here is way you can help the Central Ohio Radio Club continue to stay financially sound without costing you anything. If you already have a Kroger Plus Shopper s Card here are simple instructions to register your Kroger Plus card. If you don t already have a card, pick one up at any Kroger store, (they are free) then follow these instructions to register. 1. Go to 2. At the upper right go to Create an account. Do NOT go to Sign in until you have created your community rewards account even if you already have a Kroger Plus Shoppers Card. Create your account on this page, at bottom hit create account. 3. Once your Community Rewards Account is set-up, you will be taken to my account page, sign in. Select Community Rewards. If you re-log into look for: Kroger Community Rewards, Do you already have an account? Click here to sign in. 4. Click on View your account details. 5. In the box to the left of search enter central then hit search 6. Scroll down to Central Oh. Radio Club (almost at the bottom of list) 7. Select Central Oh. Radio Club, Inc. - #91723 as your selection 8. Save your selection by hitting ENROLL at bottom of page 9. Double check your Community Rewards account settings to be certain Central Oh. Radio Club is shown CORC THANKS YOU! Page 3

6 The Central Ohio Radio Club Newsletter Travelin Tony s Timetables by: Anthony Tony Fabro N8RRB This past April the CORC Tech Net completed its third season since being revived. My thanks to everyone who has checked in over the past three years! Big thanks as well to Rick WA3UOO and Chuck WA8KKN for collaborating with me to come up with net topics. Each year we evaluate the topics discussed in the past and prioritize them according to how pertinent the topics were/are and how popular they were in the past. Based on this assessment we decide whether to bring back a topic annually or something less often (or ever). If we re short topics we brainstorm and try to come up with new ideas or use ideas submitted via the Tech Net address at technet@corc.us. Then the fun begins with the schedule. We tentatively place the topics on the schedule, try to work around major sports events and holidays, and contact people to be the SME (Subject Matter Expert) if they ve presented in the past. After reshuffling the topics a few times we come up with our final schedule which is then posted on the CORC Yahoo Group calendar. Announcements are recorded to each of the repeaters the week before the net and the CORC web page is also updated. It s a lot of work but a lot of fun as well. I liken the net to the time I spent working at a library. I was always learning when I worked at the library, and the same can be said for the time spent listening to the Tech Net. The Tech Net is on summer vacation but will return in October. If you have suggestions for topics or would like to present a topic please send an to technet@corc.us. Have a safe day. Thrust Bearing Umbrella From May 2014 ARRL QST By Roy Hook, W8REH Many off-the-shelf bearings, commonly used as thrust bearings for antenna rotator applications, are not equipped with any means of preventing water from entering the bearing and causing problems. I repurposed an aluminum reflector from a light fixture to create an umbrella over my thrust bearing. The top of the reflector is attached to the 2 inch mast pipe using a modified 2 inch flexible rubber pipe cap. I used a 17 8 inch hole saw to cut a hole in the center of the cap, which provides a tight seal at the mast. The band clamp included with the flexible pipe cap was not needed because the rubber cap fit very snug to the top of the reflector. The bottom rim of the reflector is kept in position by the thrust bearing s mounting bolts, which protrude upward (see Figure 2). The reflector easily turns with the mast and the contact between the metal reflector and the thrust bearing bolts should help to prevent any static charge build-up. The small gap between the bearing and reflector permits any moisture to escape and provides access to the bearing grease fitting without moving any of the components, a plus when working at 60 feet in the air. See May 2014 issue of QST Magazine, page 66 for photo of unit. 73, Roy Hook, W8REH, 6611 Steitz Rd, Powell, OH 43065, royman@columbus.rr.com Page 4

7 The Central Ohio Radio Club Newsletter FCC Agents Trace Radio Interference to Doorbells, Videogames, Lights, etc. By: Derek Goodwin A federal agent who shows up unannounced at a building along a Texas highway might be looking for any number of things: illicit drugs, immigration violations, illegal firearms, or fluorescent lights. This was what the agent had in mind that walked into the Perfect Cuts salon in San Antonio last July. The lights were violating communications regulations. The agent had used signal-tracking equipment to home in on the offenders and told the owner, that his lights emitted radio signals that interfered with an AT&T Inc. cellphone tower. That violated Federal Communications Commission rules protecting airwaves licensed to AT&T, the agency determined. The owner didn't have a license to operate on that frequency, the FCC agent told him, so his fixtures needed to go. Last June, an FCC letter to a Springfield, Ore., address warned that "harmful" interference had been traced to the property and that the operator may have to "cease operation" of the device: "possibly a bad doorbell transformer." That 2013 letter lists other common culprits, including aquarium heaters. Similar letters in 2012 went to several operators of videogame consoles. "This unresolved problem," the letters typically warn, "could result in a monetary forfeiture." The FCC can demand fines up to $16,000 a day or $112,500 an incident from people who aren't FCC licensees. Offenders usually rectify problems, the FCC says, often working them out with whoever is complaining. Most anything electrical can violate. "Incidental radiators," in FCC lingo, are devices like electric motors that aren't built to generate radio signals but do anyway. "Unintentional radiators" are designed to generate signals within devices like computers but aren't supposed to broadcast. "Intentional radiators" like cordless phones can transgress when they transmit outside intended frequencies. Agents arrived at Shelton's Auto Lube and Auto Wash in Fortuna, Calif., in 2008 looking for signals disrupting AM broadcasts. They traced them to Shelton's carwash equipment. In a 2013 letter, the FCC wrote to the owner of a plasma TV set after a ham-radio operator complained to the agency of interference. "Continued operation of the television," warned the letter, from which the TV owner's identification is redacted, "is not legal under FCC rules." Ham-radio operators are a frequent source of complaints. A 2012 FCC letter told a Pomona Park, Fla., resident to stop using a well pump that conflicted with amateur-radio frequencies. A 2009 letter warned a Farm Animal Sanctuary in Woodstock, N.Y., that its electric fence was causing interference for a ham-radio operator and noted it had been warned before. A radio hobbyist in Boulder, Colo., last year tracked a signal. After knocking on the suspect's door, he traced it to ballasts on marijuana grow-room lights. He says he built a filter that the grower agreed to use. Ballasts earned a real-estate company, a citation last month at one of its Los Angeles buildings where lights were interfering with a Verizon Communications Inc. cell site. The FCC had warned in May, asking for progress reports, but it received none, the new letter said. It warned of fines and possible equipment seizure or jail time. The lights at Perfect Cuts in San Antonio came from General Electric Co. which in 2011 found some of its ballasts caused interference, a spokesman says. GE has offered to replace those ballasts free of charge. Perfect Cuts says they initially declined GE's offer. But when an FCC letter after the agent's visit mentioned a possible $16,000-a-day fine, they swapped ballasts. Page 5

8 The Central Ohio Radio Club Newsletter Central Ohio Severe Weather Network Are you ready for severe weather? By John Montgomery, N8PVC I believe that snow is over and we can seriously think about warmer temperatures and the weather that comes along with it. As Ken Haydu related to the Skywarn representatives at our spring meeting in February, the moisture present in the ground will enhance severe weather possibilities. Obviously other factors such as instability and lift need to be present but moisture is a key thunderstorm component. Now is the time to check into the Tuesday evening readiness checks that happen at 7:30 PM on MHz. The Central Ohio Severe Weather Net has been reviewing tips for weather spotters that deal with radio gear and most recently topics about the Storm Prediction Center and the part they play in severe weather forecasts. Number one for spotters is to have a strong signal that will cut through storm de-sense so we can hear you clearly. Rainfall does impact radio transmissions. In your motor vehicle you need a mobile radio that can produce RF output of 25 watts or more if you re in Franklin County. Outside of Franklin County you should have a radio that can produce 50 watts of RF output. There are no exceptions. HTs, handie-talkies should not be used in severe weather. Recent severe weather nets and readiness checks tell us that there are operators that are using HTs. Trying to understand a broken transmission from an HT consumes valuable air-time and could endanger you or someone else. How tragic it would be if you were reporting a rotating wall cloud or funnel cloud and COSWN net control operators were unable to hear you. For new amateur radio operators knowing what to report is important. Each Tuesday evening COSWN reviews severe weather criteria in the prepared script that we read. It is simply a matter of listening and controlling the urge to transmit when conditions in your area don t meet severe criteria. That can be a challenge. Listening during a severe weather net is extremely important. Listening gives you situational awareness. You know where you are and because you listened to net control you know where the storm cells are. Situational awareness is a key part of your safety plan while weather spotting. Drop by the COSWN training page at You ll find topics on why spotter training is important, communications, radio procedures and National Weather Service training. COSWN would like to invite spotters to stop by our office at Port Columbus during any of our readiness nets. Drop us a note at comments@severe weather.org if you can stop by. It s important to understand what happens on the other side of the microphone. We re always looking for additional help. A typical net will require a minimum of three operators. For a long term event lasting up to six or more hours, as many as nine operators might be needed. We do our best to make training interesting. CORC is looking for volunteers to help teach Ham Radio courses here in the Columbus Area. We are hoping to provide a place and have teachers either instruct the whole course or a series of teachers take turns teaching different chapters or sections of the course. Testing would take place after course completion. Please contact CORC by ing newsletter@corc.us or mailing: CORC PO BOX 166, Sunbury, Ohio Page 6

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10 And now that you know about it Here is how you get there! Genoa Township Hall UDF From 71 take Polaris Pkwy to State Route 3 and turn on Old 3C Highway and go North to The Geona Township Hall. From 270 exit on State Route 3/ Westerville Road and go north to Old 3C Highway. Genoa Township Hall is on the corner of Big Walnut and Old 3C Highway.